We seldom repent of speaking little, very often of speaking too much: a vulgar and trite maxim, which all the world knows and, but which all the world does not practice

The slave has but one master, the ambitious man has as many as there are persons whose aid may contribute to the advancement of his fortunes.

You think him to be your dupe; if he feigns to be so who is the greater dupe, he or you?

A man can keep another's secret better than his own. A woman her own better than others.

Piety with some people, but especially with women, is either a passion, or an infirmity of age, or a fashion which must be followed.

We never deceive for a good purpose: knavery adds malice to falsehood.

Extremes are vicious, and proceed from men; compensation is just, and proceeds from God.